Control circuits for generating output enable signals, and related systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Control circuits for generating output enable signals are disclosed. In one aspect, a control circuit is provided that employs combinatorial logic to generate an output enable signal that meets timing constraints using a standard clock signal, a feedback clock signal based on the standard clock signal, and a single data rate (SDR) data output stream. The control circuit includes a double data rate (DDR) conversion circuit configured to generate a DDR output stream based on a received SDR output stream. The control circuit includes an output enable circuit configured to receive the standard clock signal, feedback clock signal, and DDR output stream, and to generate the output enable signal that is asserted and de-asserted according to the defined timing constraints. The control circuit is configured to generate an accurately timed output enable signal without the need for a fast clock signal in addition to the standard clock signal.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.No. 62/147,296, filed Apr. 14, 2015 and entitled “CONTROL CIRCUITS FORGENERATING OUTPUT ENABLE SIGNALS, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,”which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

I. Field of the Disclosure

The technology of the disclosure relates generally to control circuits,and particularly to control circuits that generate output enablesignals.

II. Background

Electronic devices, such as mobile phones and computer tablets, havebecome common in contemporary society for supporting various everydayuses. These electronic devices each commonly include a microphone andspeakers. Typical microphones and speakers used in electronic deviceshave analog interfaces, requiring dedicated two (2) port wiring toconnect each device. However, electronic devices may include multipleaudio devices, such as multiple microphones and/or speakers. Thus, itmay be desired to allow for a microprocessor or other control device insuch electronic devices to be able to communicate audio data to multipleaudio devices over a common communications bus. Further, it may bedesired to provide a defined communications protocol for transportingdigital data relating to audio channels to different audio devices in anelectronic device over a common communications bus.

In this regard, the MIPI® Alliance has announced SoundWire™ as acommunications protocol for transporting digital data relating to audiochannels to different audio devices associated with an electronicdevice. In SoundWire™, one SoundWire™ master interface allows a masterelectronic device (“master device”), or monitor communicatively coupledthereto, to communicate over a common communications bus with one ormore slave electronic devices (“slave devices”) coupled to SoundWire™slave interfaces. As of this writing, the current version of SoundWire™is revision 1.0, which was made internally available on Mar. 12, 2015 toMIPI® Alliance members through the MIPI® sharepoint file server.

The common communications bus in SoundWire™ includes two separate wires:a common data wire (“DATA”) and a common clock wire (“CLK”). In anattempt to provide a low power consumption environment, the SoundWire™protocol employs a modified Non Return to Zero Inverted (“NRZI”)encoding scheme in conjunction with a double data rate (“DDR”), whereinthe DATA is examined, and potentially driven, upon every transition of aclock signal on the CLK. Employing the modified NRZI encoding schemewith DDR in this manner requires that the DATA be asserted andde-asserted according to timing constraints defined in the SoundWire™protocol. However, clock and logic circuitry used to control the DATA inthis manner can be power intensive. Therefore, it would be advantageousto control the DATA so as to meet the timing constraints of theSoundWire™ protocol, while also reducing power consumption ofcorresponding circuitry.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include control circuitsfor generating output enable signals, and related systems and methods.In one aspect, a control circuit is provided that employs combinatoriallogic to generate an output enable signal that meets defined timingconstraints using only a standard clock signal (e.g., a slow clocksignal), a feedback clock signal based on the standard clock signal, anda single data rate (SDR) output stream. The control circuit includes adouble data rate (DDR) conversion circuit that is configured to generatea DDR output stream based on the SDR output stream. Further, the controlcircuit includes an output enable circuit that is configured to receivethe standard clock signal, the feedback clock signal, and the DDR outputstream generated by the DDR conversion circuit. The output enablecircuit is further configured to generate the output enable signal thatis asserted and de-asserted according to the defined timing constraints.In this manner, the control circuit is configured to generate anaccurately timed output enable signal without a fast clock signal, thusavoiding power-consuming fast clock circuitry. Therefore, generating theoutput enable signal in this manner allows the control circuit toprovide an accurate output enable signal to other circuitry whilereducing power consumption as compared to circuits employing both astandard clock signal and a fast clock signal.

In this regard, in one aspect, a control circuit is disclosed. Thecontrol circuit comprises a DDR conversion circuit configured to receivean SDR output stream and generate a DDR output stream based on the SDRoutput stream. The control circuit further comprises an output enablecircuit. The output enable circuit is configured to receive a standardclock signal and a feedback clock signal, wherein the feedback clocksignal is based on the standard clock signal. The output enable circuitis also configured to receive the DDR output stream generated by the DDRconversion circuit. The output enable circuit is further configured togenerate an output enable signal, wherein the output enable signal isasserted and de-asserted according to timing constraints.

In another aspect, a control circuit is disclosed. The control circuitcomprises a means for receiving an SDR output stream and a means forgenerating a DDR output stream based on the SDR output stream. Thecontrol circuit further comprises a means for receiving a standard clocksignal and a means for receiving a feedback clock signal, wherein thefeedback clock signal is based on the standard clock signal. The controlcircuit further comprises a means for generating an output enable signalbased on the standard clock signal, the feedback clock signal, and theDDR output stream, wherein the output enable signal is asserted andde-asserted according to timing constraints.

In another aspect, a method for providing an output enable signal isdisclosed. The method comprises receiving an SDR output stream at a DDRconversion circuit and generating with the DDR conversion circuit a DDRoutput stream based on the SDR output stream. The method furthercomprises receiving a standard clock signal at an output enable circuitand a feedback clock signal at the output enable circuit, wherein thefeedback clock signal is based on the standard clock signal. The methodfurther comprises generating with the output enable circuit an outputenable signal based on the standard clock signal, the feedback clocksignal, and the DDR output stream, wherein the output enable signal isasserted and de-asserted according to timing constraints.

In another aspect, a system is disclosed. The system comprises amulti-point, multi-drop communications bus comprising a data wire and aclock wire. The system further comprises a master device coupled to oneor more slave devices via the multi-point, multi-drop communicationsbus. The master device comprises a digital logic circuit configured tocomplete operations associated with the master device, a bus interfaceconfigured to interface with the multi-point, multi-drop communicationsbus, and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises DDR conversioncircuit configured to receive an SDR output stream and generate a DDRoutput stream based on the SDR output stream. The control circuitfurther comprises an output enable circuit configured to receive astandard clock signal and a feedback clock signal, wherein the feedbackclock signal is based on the standard clock signal. The control circuitis further configured to receive the DDR output stream generated by theDDR conversion circuit and generate an output enable signal, wherein theoutput enable signal is asserted and de-asserted according to timingconstraints.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary SoundWire™ system thatincludes a master device coupled to a plurality of slave devices;

FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of signals in an exemplary SoundWire™ systemillustrating timing constraints associated with enabling a data outputsignal in compliance with the SoundWire™ protocol;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary control circuit coupling adigital logic circuit of a device to a bus interface of the device,wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output enablesignal according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a simplified exemplary control circuitconfigured to generate an output enable signal according to the timingconstraints of the SoundWire™ protocol;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for generatingan output enable signal according to the timing constraints of theSoundWire™ protocol;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of an exemplary control circuit coupling adigital logic circuit of a device to a bus interface of the device,wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an output enablesignal according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of another exemplary control circuitcoupling a digital logic circuit of a device to a bus interface of thedevice, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an outputenable signal according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™protocol;

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of another exemplary control circuitcoupling a digital logic circuit of a device to a bus interface of thedevice, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate an outputenable signal according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™protocol; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary processor-based system thatcan include the control circuit in FIG. 3 that is configured to generatean output enable signal according to the timing constraints of theSoundWire™ protocol.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to the drawing figures, several exemplary aspects ofthe present disclosure are described. The word “exemplary” is usedherein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Anyaspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other aspects.

Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include control circuitsfor generating output enable signals, and related systems and methods.In one aspect, a control circuit is provided that employs combinatoriallogic to generate an output enable signal that meets defined timingconstraints using only a standard clock signal (e.g., a slow clocksignal), a feedback clock signal based on the standard clock signal, anda single data rate (SDR) data output stream. The control circuitincludes a double data rate (DDR) conversion circuit that is configuredto generate a DDR output stream based on the SDR output stream. Further,the control circuit includes an output enable circuit that is configuredto receive the standard clock signal, the feedback clock signal, and theDDR output stream generated by the DDR conversion circuit. The outputenable circuit is further configured to generate the output enablesignal that is asserted and de-asserted according to the defined timingconstraints. In this manner, the control circuit is configured togenerate an accurately timed output enable signal without a fast clocksignal, thus avoiding power consuming fast clock circuitry. Therefore,generating the output enable signal in this manner allows the controlcircuit to provide an accurate output enable signal to other circuitrywhile reducing power consumption as compared to circuits employing botha standard clock signal and a fast clock signal.

Before discussing the control circuit in aspects disclosed herein, anexemplary SoundWire™ system is first described. In this regard, FIG. 1is a block diagram of an exemplary SoundWire™ system 10 having one (1)master device 12 and four (4) slave devices 14(1)-14(4) communicativelycoupled to a SoundWire™ communications bus 16 as SoundWire™-compatibleelectronic devices. In an exemplary aspect, the slave devices14(1)-14(4) may be microphones, speakers, or other audio devices. Themaster device 12 communicates with the slave devices 14(1)-14(4) usingtwo (2) signals: a clock signal 18 communicated over a common clock wire20 (“CLK 20”), and a data signal 22 communicated on a common data wire24 (“DATA 24”) of the SoundWire™ communications bus 16. While only fourslave devices 14(1)-14(4) are illustrated in FIG. 1, it should beappreciated that the SoundWire™ specification supports up to eleven (11)slave devices 14 per master device 12. It should be appreciated that themaster device 12 may have a control system 26 associated therewith,which may be a hardware implemented processor with associated softwarestored in memory associated with the processor. In one exemplary aspect,the control system 26 is part of the system-on-a-chip (SoC) of themaster device 12. In an alternate exemplary aspect, the control system26 may be associated with a central processor for the computing devicethat includes the SoundWire™ system 10. In further exemplary aspects,the slave devices 14(1)-14(4) each have a respective slave controlsystem 28(1)-28(4). Notably, while this aspect illustrates variouselements within the master device 12 and the slave devices 14(1)-14(4),other aspects may include alternative elements or configurations andachieve similar functionality.

With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the SoundWire™ system 10 employs amodified Non Return to Zero Inverted (“NRZI”) encoding scheme inconjunction with a double data rate (“DDR”), wherein the DATA 24 isexamined, and potentially driven, upon every transition of the clocksignal 18. As a non-limiting example, the DATA 24 may be driven by theslave devices 14(1)-14(4) based on a corresponding data output enablesignal (“DATA_OE”) of each respective slave device 14(1)-14(4). Drivingthe data signal 22 on the DATA 24 according to the DDR in this mannercauses a respective DATA_OE to potentially transition four (4) timesduring each cycle of the clock signal 18. More specifically, arespective DATA_OE may transition to a high logic level and drive afirst data segment (not shown) in response to the clock signal 18transitioning to a high logic level. However, upon the clock signal 18reaching a low logic level, the DATA_OE may transition to a low logiclevel so as to stop driving the first data segment, and subsequentlytransition to a high logic level to begin driving a second data segment(not shown). When the clock signal 18 again transitions to a high logiclevel, the DATA_OE may transition to a low logic level to stop drivingthe second data segment. Notably, the timing with which such multipletransitions of the DATA_OE occur needs to be timed according to timingconstraints defined by the SoundWire™ protocol.

In this regard, FIG. 2 illustrates signals 30 in the exemplarySoundWire™ system 10 in FIG. 1 illustrating timing constraintsassociated with enabling the data signal 22 in compliance with theSoundWire™ protocol. As previously described, to drive the data signal22 on the DATA 24, a respective DATA_OE may transition four (4) timesduring one (1) cycle of the clock signal 18. The DATA_OE transitions inresponse to each rising and falling transition of the clock signal 18.In this example, in response to a rising transition 32 of the clocksignal 18, the DATA_OE is configured to drive a data high signal(“DATA_HIGH”) when an output enable high signal (“OE_HIGH”) equals logic‘1’ and the current time slot is owned by the corresponding device inthe SoundWire™ system 10. Notably, to remain compliant with theSoundWire™ protocol, the DATA_OE must be asserted after a minimum timeperiod (“tZD”) measured from the earliest transition of the clock signal18 (i.e., the rising transition 32). Thus, in response to the risingtransition 32 of the clock signal 18, the DATA_OE experiences a risingtransition 34 after a tZD time period because the OE_HIGH equals logic‘1.’ The rising transition 34 of the DATA_OE causes the ‘A’ value ofDATA_HIGH to be driven to the data signal 22 on the DATA 24 (arrow 36).

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, in response to a falling transition38 of the clock signal 18, the SoundWire™ protocol configures theDATA_OE to drive a data low signal (“DATA_LOW”) when an output enablelow signal (“OE_LOW”) equals logic ‘1’ and the current time slot isowned by the corresponding device in the SoundWire™ system 10. To remaincompliant with the SoundWire™ protocol, the DATA_OE must be de-assertedwithin a maximum time period (“tDZ”) measured from the latest transitionof the clock signal 18 (i.e., the falling transition 38). Thus, inresponse to the falling transition 38 of the clock signal 18, theDATA_OE experiences a falling transition 40 no later than a tDZ timefollowing the falling transition 38. Similar to the rising transition34, the DATA_OE experiences a rising transition 42 after a tZD timebecause the OE_LOW equals logic ‘1.’ The rising transition 42 of theDATA_OE causes the ‘B’ value of DATA_LOW to be driven to the data signal22 on the DATA 24 (arrow 44). Further, in response to a risingtransition 46 of the clock signal 18, to remain compliant with theSoundWire™ protocol, the DATA_OE experiences a falling transition 48 nolater than a tDZ time following the rising transition 46. Therefore,circuitry employed to assert and de-assert the DATA_OE so as to remaincompliant with the SoundWire™ protocol should operate according to thetiming constraints illustrated by the signals 30 in FIG. 2.

In this regard, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary device 50 wherein anexemplary control circuit 52 couples a digital logic circuit 54 to a businterface 56 of the device 50. Notably, the digital logic circuit 54 maycorrespond to either a master device or a slave device. In this aspect,the control circuit 52 is configured to generate an output enable signal58 according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol.Notably, the control circuit 52 is configured to generate the outputenable signal 58 that meets the timing constraints using only a standardclock signal 60 (e.g., a slow clock signal), a feedback clock signal 62based on the standard clock signal 60, and a single data rate (SDR)output stream 64. In this aspect, the SDR output stream 64 is providedby the digital logic circuit 54, wherein the SDR output stream 64includes an SDR low output stream 64(1) and an SDR high output stream64(2). A feedback generation circuit 66 is configured to generate thefeedback clock signal 62 in response to receiving the standard clocksignal 60. In this embodiment, the feedback generation circuit 66provides the standard clock signal 60 to the bus interface 56 and uses abus clock signal 67 received from the bus interface 56 to generate thefeedback clock signal 62. Notably, alternative embodiments may configurethe feedback generation circuit 66 to generate the feedback clock signal62 in a self-contained manner, wherein the feedback clock signal 62 isbased on the standard clock signal 60 without communicating with the businterface 56. Further, the control circuit 52 also includes a doubledata rate (DDR) conversion circuit 68 that is configured to generate aDDR output stream 70 based on the SDR output stream 64. The DDR outputstream 70 is a combination of the SDR output stream 64 and time slotownership, wherein the DDR output stream 70 is asserted in response tothe SDR output stream 64 when the current time slot is owned by thedevice 50. Notably, the DDR conversion circuit 68 is sometimes referredto herein as a means for receiving the SDR output stream 64 and a meansfor generating the DDR output stream 70 based on the SDR output stream64. In this aspect, the DDR conversion circuit 68 uses the feedbackclock signal 62 when generating the DDR output stream 70. However, otheraspects may configure the DDR conversion circuit 68 so as to not requirethe feedback clock signal 62.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the control circuit 52 includes anoutput enable circuit 72 that is configured to receive the standardclock signal 60, the feedback clock signal 62, and the DDR output stream70. The output enable circuit 72 is further configured to generate theoutput enable signal 58 that is asserted and de-asserted according tothe defined timing constraints. Notably, the output enable circuit 72 issometimes referred to herein as a means for receiving the standard clocksignal 60 and a means for receiving the feedback clock signal 62.Further, the output enable circuit 72 is sometimes referred to herein asa means for generating the output enable signal 58 based on the standardclock signal 60, the feedback clock signal 62, and the DDR output stream70. The bus interface 56 is configured to receive the output enablesignal 58 from the output enable circuit 72 so as to provide a datasignal 74 to a communications bus 76 with the desired timing. In thisaspect, the communications bus 76 is a multi-point, multi-dropcommunications bus 76 that may function using various protocols such as,but not limited to, the SoundWire™ protocol. In this manner, the controlcircuit 52 is configured to generate an accurately timed output enablesignal 58 without employing a fast clock signal, thus avoidingpower-consuming fast clock circuitry. Therefore, the control circuit 52may reduce power consumption as compared to circuits employing both astandard clock signal 60 and a fast clock signal.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the control circuit 52 alsoincludes an SDR conversion circuit 78 that is configured to generate anNRZI data signal 80 based on a DDR input stream 82 received from thecommunications bus 76 via the bus interface 56 and the feedback clocksignal 62. The NRZI data signal 80 is used by the bus interface 56 toensure that the data signal 74 is driven to the communications bus 76using NRZI encoding according to the SoundWire™ protocol. Further, theSDR conversion circuit 78 is configured to generate an SDR input stream84 based on the DDR input stream 82 and the feedback clock signal 62,wherein the SDR input stream 84 is provided to the digital logic circuit54 as an SDR low input stream 84(1) and an SDR high input stream 84(2).

To achieve the functionality described in relation to FIG. 3, thecontrol circuit 52 may employ various circuit elements. In this regard,FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified version of the control circuit 52 inFIG. 3, wherein the control circuit 52 is configured to generate theoutput enable signal 58 according to the timing constraints of theSoundWire™ protocol. In this aspect, the control circuit 52 includes theDDR conversion circuit 68, the output enable circuit 72, and thefeedback generation circuit 66. Additionally, the control circuit 52employs a synchronizing circuit 86 that includes a low flip-flop 88(1)and a high flip-flop 88(2) configured to receive the SDR low outputstream 64(1) and the SDR high output stream 64(2), respectively, fromthe digital logic circuit 54 (not shown). The low flip-flop 88(1) andthe high flip-flop 88(2) are configured to provide the SDR low outputstream 64(1) and the SDR high output stream 64(2), respectively, to theDDR conversion circuit 68 in response to the standard clock signal 60.Thus, the synchronizing circuit 86 synchronizes the SDR output stream 64with the standard clock signal 60 prior to providing the SDR outputstream 64 to the DDR conversion circuit 68. Further, in this aspect, theDDR conversion circuit 68 includes a first flip-flop 90(1) and a secondflip-flop 90(2). The first flip-flop 90(1) is configured to receive theSDR low output stream 64(1) and provide a DDR low output stream 92(1) inresponse to the feedback clock signal 62. Further, the second flip-flop90(2) is configured to receive the SDR high output stream 64(2) andprovide a DDR high output stream 92(2) in response to the feedback clocksignal 62. Notably, in this aspect, the SDR low and high output streams64(1)-64(2) represent SDR versions of the low and high output enablesignals generated by the digital logic circuit 54. The SDR low and highoutput streams 64(1)-64(2) are asserted in response to the correspondingoutput enable signals generated by the digital logic circuit 54 equalinglogic ‘1’ when the time slot is owned by the device 50. Further, in thisaspect, the DDR low and high output streams 92(1)-92(2) represent DDRversions of the low and high output enable signals required to drive thedata signal 74 (not shown) to the communications bus 76. A multiplexer94 employed by the DDR conversion circuit 68 is configured to receivethe DDR low and high output streams 92(1)-92(2) and provide the DDRoutput stream 70 to the output enable circuit 72, wherein the feedbackclock signal 62 is used to select which signal is provided by themultiplexer 94.

With continuing reference to FIG. 4, the output enable circuit 72 in thecontrol circuit 52 employs a delay circuit 96 that is configured toreceive the feedback clock signal 62 and generate a delayed feedbackclock signal 98. The output enable circuit 72 also employs an XOR-basedgate 100 configured to receive the delayed feedback clock signal 98 andthe standard clock signal 60, and provide a short valid signal 102 to anAND-based gate 104 in the output enable circuit 72. In this aspect, theXOR-based gate 100 is an XNOR gate, while the AND-based gate 104 is anAND gate. The DDR output stream 70 is also provided to the AND-basedgate 104, wherein the AND-based gate 104 uses the short valid signal 102and the DDR output stream 70 to provide the output enable signal 58. Inthis aspect, the output enable signal 58 is generated with timingaccording to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol by usingthe delay circuit 96. Thus, the timing provided by the delay circuit 96causes the output enable circuit 72 to assert the output enable signal58 no earlier than the tZD time following the most recent transition ofthe standard clock signal 60, and de-assert the output enable signal 58no later than a tDZ time following the most recent transition of thestandard clock signal 60. Further, the feedback generation circuit 66includes first and second buffers 106(1)-106(2), wherein the firstbuffer 106(1) is configured to receive the standard clock signal 60 andprovide a delayed standard clock signal 108(1) to the communications bus76 via the bus interface 56. The second buffer 106(2) is configured toreceive a delayed standard clock signal 108(2) from the communicationsbus 76 via the bus interface 56 and provide the feedback clock signal62. In this manner, the feedback generation circuit 66 is configured toassist in meeting the above timing constraints by compensating for anyinput/output delays of signals within the control circuit 52. Thus, thecontrol circuit 52 is configured to generate an accurately timed outputenable signal 58 without a fast clock signal, thereby avoidingpower-consuming fast clock circuitry. Therefore, the control circuit 52may reduce power consumption as compared to circuits employing both astandard clock signal 60 and a fast clock signal.

In this regard, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process 110 that may beused by the control circuit 52 in FIG. 3 for generating the outputenable signal 58 according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™protocol. The process 110 includes receiving the SDR output stream 64 atthe DDR conversion circuit 68 (block 112) and generating with the DDRconversion circuit 68 the DDR output stream 70 based on the SDR outputstream 64 (block 114). The process 110 also includes receiving thestandard clock signal 60 at the output enable circuit 72 (block 116) andreceiving the feedback clock signal 62 at the output enable circuit 72,wherein the feedback clock signal 62 is based on the standard clocksignal 60 (block 118). Further, the process 110 includes generating withthe output enable circuit 72 the output enable signal 58 based on thestandard clock signal 60, the feedback clock signal 62, and the DDRoutput stream 70, wherein the output enable signal 58 is asserted andde-asserted according to timing constraints (block 120). In this aspect,because the process 110 generates the output enable signal 58 accordingto the SoundWire™ protocol, the process 110 includes asserting theoutput enable signal 58 no earlier than a tZD time following a mostrecent transition of the standard clock signal 60 (block 122). Further,the process 110 also includes de-asserting the output enable signal 58no later than a tDZ time following the most recent transition of thestandard clock signal 60 (block 124). In aspects where data may bereceived from the multi-point, multi-drop communications bus 76, theprocess 110 includes receiving the DDR input stream 82 and the feedbackclock signal 62 at the SDR conversion circuit 78 (block 126) andgenerating with the SDR conversion circuit 78 the SDR input stream 84based on the DDR input stream 82 (block 128). Further, the process 110includes generating with the SDR conversion circuit 78 the NRZI datasignal 80 based on the DDR input stream 82 (block 130). Additionally,the process 110 includes providing the data signal 74 to themulti-point, multi-drop communications bus 76 by way of the businterface 56 in response to the output enable signal 58 (block 132).Notably, in this aspect, the communications bus 76 is a multi-point,multi-drop communications bus 76. By employing the process 110, thecontrol circuit 52 is configured to generate an accurately timed outputenable signal 58 without a fast clock signal, thus avoidingpower-consuming fast clock circuitry.

In this regard, FIG. 6 illustrates a more detailed version of thecontrol circuit 52 in FIG. 4, wherein the control circuit 52 isconfigured to generate the output enable signal 58 according to thetiming constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol. The control circuit 52includes the synchronizing circuit 86, the DDR conversion circuit 68,and the output enable circuit 72 as previously described in relation toFIG. 4. Further, the control circuit 52 also includes the SDR conversioncircuit 78 previously described in FIG. 3. To convert the DDR inputstream 82 into the SDR input stream 84, the SDR conversion circuit 78includes a first flip-flop 134(1) that is configured to receive the DDRinput stream 82 and provide the SDR low input stream 84(1) in responseto the feedback clock signal 62. Further, the SDR conversion circuit 78also includes a second flip-flop 134(2) that is configured to receivethe DDR input stream 82 and provide the SDR high input stream 84(2) inresponse to the feedback clock signal 62. The SDR low and high inputstreams 84(1)-84(2) are provided to a multiplexer 136 that is configuredto invert the SDR input stream 84 so as to provide the NRZI data signal80 to the bus interface 56. In this aspect, the multiplexer 136 is alsoconfigured to provide the SDR low and high input streams 84(1)-84(2) tothe digital logic circuit 54 as input data, wherein the digital logiccircuit 54 is configured to process SDR data rather than DDR data.Notably, the SDR conversion circuit 78 is configured to receive a wakeupclock signal 138 from the digital logic circuit 54. The wakeup clocksignal 138 is used to force activation of the control circuit 52 inparticular circumstances, such as, but not limited to, activation of thedigital logic circuit 54 following a low power or sleep mode. In thisembodiment, the wakeup clock signal 138 is used to set the NRZI datasignal 80 to a pre-defined state corresponding to the wakeup functionprior to a transmission caused by the feedback clock signal 62.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, the control circuit 52 alsoincludes an output enable selection circuit 140 that is configured toprovide a final output enable signal 142 to the bus interface 56. Theoutput enable selection circuit 140 is configured to receive the outputenable signal 58 and the wakeup clock signal 138. In this aspect, theoutput enable selection circuit 140 includes an OR-based gate 144 (i.e.,an OR gate in this aspect). The OR-based gate 144 is configured toprovide the final output enable signal 142, wherein the final outputenable signal 142 is asserted either in response to the output enablesignal 58 or the wakeup clock signal 138. Thus, the output enableselection circuit 140 allows the control circuit 52 to enable the businterface 56 to drive the data signal 74 according to the Soundwire™protocol timing constraints or upon activation of the digital logiccircuit 54. Further, the control circuit 52 includes multiplexers146(1)-146(5) that allow the bus interface 56 to exchange the datasignal 74 with the communications bus 76 using a protocol other thanthat employed by the control circuit 52. In this manner, the multiplexer146(1) is configured to select between a first keeper signal 148 and asecond keeper signal 150 and the multiplexer 146(2) is configured toselect between the NRZI data signal 80 and a second data output signal152. Further, the multiplexer 146(3) is configured to select between thefinal output enable signal 142 and a second output enable signal 154,the multiplexer 146(4) is configured to select between the standardclock signal 60 and a second clock signal 156, and the multiplexer146(5) is configured to select between a first clock output enablesignal 158 and a second clock output enable signal 160.

With continuing reference to FIG. 6, in this aspect, the digital logiccircuit 54 includes a logic block 162 configured to perform functionscorresponding to the operation of the digital logic circuit 54. Thedigital logic circuit 54 also includes multiple flip-flops 164(1)-164(N)that are configured to exchange data with the logic block 162.Additionally, the bus interface 56 includes a keeper circuit 166 coupledto a resistor 168, wherein a keeper signal 170 from the resistor 168serves to hold a value on a data wire 172 of the communications bus 76.The bus interface 56 also includes a data input buffer 174 and a dataoutput buffer 176 configured to buffer input and output data,respectively. Further, the bus interface 56 is communicatively coupledto a clock wire 178 of the communications bus 76.

In addition to the aspect described in relation to FIG. 6, other aspectsmay include alternative circuit elements to achieve similarfunctionality. In this regard, FIG. 7 illustrates a control circuit 52′which is similar to the control circuit 52 in FIG. 6. The controlcircuit 52′ is configured to generate the output enable signal 58according to the timing constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol. However,the control circuit 52′ in FIG. 7 includes a data delay circuit 180coupled to the NRZI data signal 80. The data delay circuit 180 may beemployed to help stabilize the NRZI data signal 80 provided to the businterface 56 to assist meeting the timing constraints.

Additionally, FIG. 8 illustrates a control circuit 52″ which is similarto the control circuit 52 in FIG. 6, wherein the control circuit 52″ isconfigured to generate the output enable signal 58 according to thetiming constraints of the SoundWire™ protocol. However, the controlcircuit 52″ in FIG. 8 includes an output enable circuit 72″ that isconfigured to provide a feedback clock signal 62″ to the XOR-based gate100 instead of the standard clock signal 60. Providing the feedbackclock signal 62″ in this manner may reduce timing uncertainties when theduty cycle of the standard clock signal 60 is relatively very low byexcluding delay attributable to a clock pad (not shown) associated withthe clock wire 178 from critical timing paths. As non-limiting examples,the timing uncertainties that may be reduced include jitter andinput/output delay. Without providing the feedback clock signal 62″ tothe XOR-based gate 100 in instances of the standard clock signal 60having a relatively very low duty cycle, additional circuitry may beneeded to reduce the described timing uncertainties. Thus, employing theaspect illustrated in FIG. 8 may help meet the timing constraints whilemitigating the need for additional circuitry and a correspondingincrease in cost and area.

The control circuits for generating output enable signals according toaspects disclosed herein may be provided in or integrated into anyprocessor-based device. Examples, without limitation, include a set topbox, an entertainment unit, a navigation device, a communicationsdevice, a fixed location data unit, a mobile location data unit, amobile phone, a cellular phone, a computer, a portable computer, adesktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a monitor, acomputer monitor, a television, a tuner, a radio, a satellite radio, amusic player, a digital music player, a portable music player, a digitalvideo player, a video player, a digital video disc (DVD) player, and aportable digital video player.

In this regard, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a processor-basedsystem 182 that can employ the control circuit 52 illustrated in FIG. 3.In this example, the processor-based system 182 includes one or morecentral processing units (CPUs) 184, each including one or moreprocessors 186. The CPU(s) 184 may be a master device. The CPU(s) 184may have cache memory 188 coupled to the processor(s) 186 for rapidaccess to temporarily stored data. The CPU(s) 184 is coupled to a systembus 190 and can intercouple master and slave devices included in theprocessor-based system 182, wherein each master and slave device mayinclude the control circuit 52. As is well known, the CPU(s) 184communicates with these other devices by exchanging address, control,and data information over the system bus 190. The system bus 190 may bea multi-point, multi-drop communications bus, such as, but not limitedto, a Soundwire™ communications bus that includes a data wire and aclock wire (not shown). For example, the CPU(s) 184 can communicate bustransaction requests to a memory controller 192 as an example of a slavedevice. Although not illustrated in FIG. 9, multiple system buses 190could be provided, wherein each system bus 190 constitutes a differentfabric.

Other master and slave devices can be connected to the system bus 190.As illustrated in FIG. 9, these devices can include a memory system 194,one or more input devices 196, one or more output devices 198, one ormore network interface devices 200, and one or more display controllers202, as examples. The input device(s) 196 can include any type of inputdevice, including but not limited to input keys, switches, voiceprocessors, etc. The output device(s) 198 can include any type of outputdevice, including but not limited to audio, video, other visualindicators, etc. The network interface device(s) 200 can be any deviceconfigured to allow exchange of data to and from a network 204. Thenetwork 204 can be any type of network, including but not limited to awired or wireless network, a private or public network, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network(WAN), a BLUETOOTH™ network, or the Internet. The network interfacedevice(s) 200 can be configured to support any type of communicationsprotocol desired. The memory system 194 can include one or more memoryunits 206(1)-206(N).

The CPU(s) 184 may also be configured to access the displaycontroller(s) 202 over the system bus 190 to control information sent toone or more displays 208. The display controller(s) 202 sendsinformation to the display(s) 208 to be displayed via one or more videoprocessors 210, which process the information to be displayed into aformat suitable for the display(s) 208. The display(s) 208 can includeany type of display, including but not limited to a cathode ray tube(CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a lightemitting diode (LED) display, etc.

Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithms describedin connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented aselectronic hardware, instructions stored in memory or in anothercomputer-readable medium and executed by a processor or other processingdevice, or combinations of both. The master and slave devices describedherein may be employed in any circuit, hardware component, integratedcircuit (IC), or IC chip, as examples. Memory disclosed herein may beany type and size of memory and may be configured to store any type ofinformation desired. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability,various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and stepshave been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Howsuch functionality is implemented depends upon the particularapplication, design choices, and/or design constraints imposed on theoverall system. Skilled artisans may implement the describedfunctionality in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented orperformed with a processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field ProgrammableGate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate ortransistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combinationthereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processormay be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may beany conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The aspects disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware and ininstructions that are stored in hardware, and may reside, for example,in Random Access Memory (RAM), flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM),Electrically Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable ROM (EEPROM), registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, aCD-ROM, or any other form of computer readable medium known in the art.An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that theprocessor can read information from, and write information to, thestorage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium may be integralto the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in anASIC. The ASIC may reside in a remote station. In the alternative, theprocessor and the storage medium may reside as discrete components in aremote station, base station, or server.

It is also noted that the operational steps described in any of theexemplary aspects herein are described to provide examples anddiscussion. The operations described may be performed in numerousdifferent sequences other than the illustrated sequences. Furthermore,operations described in a single operational step may actually beperformed in a number of different steps. Additionally, one or moreoperational steps discussed in the exemplary aspects may be combined. Itis to be understood that the operational steps illustrated in theflowchart diagrams may be subject to numerous different modifications aswill be readily apparent to one of skill in the art. Those of skill inthe art will also understand that information and signals may berepresented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable anyperson skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Variousmodifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scopeof the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited tothe examples and designs described herein, but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control circuit, comprising: a double data rate(DDR) conversion circuit, configured to: receive a single data rate(SDR) output stream; and generate a DDR output stream based on the SDRoutput stream; and an output enable circuit, configured to: receive astandard clock signal; receive a feedback clock signal, wherein thefeedback clock signal is based on the standard clock signal; generate adelayed feedback clock signal based on timing constraints associatedwith each transition of the standard clock signal; receive the DDRoutput stream generated by the DDR conversion circuit; and generate anoutput enable signal based on the standard clock signal, the delayedfeedback clock signal, and the DDR output stream, wherein the outputenable signal is asserted and de-asserted according to the timingconstraints.
 2. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising anSDR conversion circuit, configured to: receive a DDR input stream;receive the feedback clock signal; generate an SDR input stream based onthe DDR input stream; and generate a non-return to zero inverted (NRZI)data signal based on the DDR input stream.
 3. The control circuit ofclaim 2, wherein the SDR conversion circuit comprises: a first flip-flopconfigured to: receive the DDR input stream; and provide an SDR lowinput stream in response to the feedback clock signal; a secondflip-flop configured to: receive the DDR input stream; and provide anSDR high input stream in response to the feedback clock signal; and amultiplexer configured to: receive the SDR low input stream; receive theSDR high input stream; and provide the NRZI data signal.
 4. The controlcircuit of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to providea data signal to a multi-point, multi-drop communications bus by way ofa bus interface in response to the output enable signal generated by theoutput enable circuit.
 5. The control circuit of claim 4, wherein themulti-point, multi-drop communications bus comprises a SoundWire™communications bus.
 6. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein theoutput enable circuit comprises a delay circuit configured to: receivethe feedback clock signal from outside the output enable circuit; andgenerate the delayed feedback clock signal.
 7. The control circuit ofclaim 6, wherein the output enable circuit further comprises: an XNORgate configured to: receive the delayed feedback clock signal; receivethe standard clock signal; and provide a short valid signal; and an ANDgate configured to: receive the short valid signal; receive the DDRoutput stream from the DDR conversion circuit; and provide the outputenable signal.
 8. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the DDRconversion circuit is further configured to receive the feedback clocksignal.
 9. The control circuit of claim 8, wherein the DDR conversioncircuit comprises: a first flip-flop configured to: receive an SDR lowoutput stream; and provide a DDR low output stream in response to thefeedback clock signal; a second flip-flop configured to: receive an SDRhigh output stream; and provide a DDR high output stream in response tothe feedback clock signal; and a multiplexer configured to: receive theDDR low output stream; receive the DDR high output stream; and providethe DDR output stream.
 10. The control circuit of claim 1, furthercomprising a feedback generation circuit comprising: a first bufferconfigured to: receive the standard clock signal; and provide a delayedstandard clock signal; and a second buffer configured to: receive thedelayed standard clock signal; and provide the feedback clock signal.11. The control circuit of claim 1 configured to interface with adigital logic circuit of a master device.
 12. The control circuit ofclaim 1 configured to interface with a digital logic circuit of a slavedevice.
 13. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the output enablecircuit is configured to generate the output enable signal by beingconfigured to: assert the output enable signal no earlier than a tZDtime following a most recent transition of the standard clock signal;and de-assert the output enable signal no later than a tDZ timefollowing the most recent transition of the standard clock signal. 14.The control circuit of claim 1 integrated into an integrated circuit(IC).
 15. The control circuit of claim 1 integrated into a deviceselected from the group consisting of: a set top box; an entertainmentunit; a navigation device; a communications device; a fixed locationdata unit; a mobile location data unit; a mobile phone; a cellularphone; a computer; a portable computer; a desktop computer; a personaldigital assistant (PDA); a monitor; a computer monitor; a television; atuner; a radio; a satellite radio; a music player; a digital musicplayer; a portable music player; a digital video player; a video player;a digital video disc (DVD) player; and a portable digital video player.16. A control circuit, comprising: a means for receiving a single datarate (SDR) output stream; a means for generating a double data rate(DDR) output stream based on the SDR output stream; a means forreceiving a standard clock signal; a means for receiving a feedbackclock signal, configured to: receive the feedback clock signal, whereinthe feedback clock signal is based on the standard clock signal; andgenerate a delayed feedback clock signal based on timing constraintsassociated with each transition of the standard clock signal; and ameans for generating an output enable signal based on the standard clocksignal, the delayed feedback clock signal, and the DDR output stream,wherein the output enable signal is asserted and de-asserted accordingto the timing constraints.
 17. A method for providing an output enablesignal, comprising: receiving a single data rate (SDR) output stream ata double data rate (DDR) conversion circuit; generating with the DDRconversion circuit a DDR output stream based on the SDR output stream;receiving a standard clock signal at an output enable circuit;generating a delayed feedback clock signal at the output enable circuitbased on timing constraints associated with each transition of thestandard clock signal; receiving a feedback clock signal at the outputenable circuit, wherein the feedback clock signal is based on thestandard clock signal; and generating with the output enable circuit anoutput enable signal based on the standard clock signal, the delayedfeedback clock signal, and the DDR output stream, wherein the outputenable signal is asserted and de-asserted according to the timingconstraints.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving aDDR input stream and the feedback clock signal at an SDR conversioncircuit; generating with the SDR conversion circuit an SDR input streambased on the DDR input stream; and generating with the SDR conversioncircuit a non-return to zero inverted (NRZI) data signal based on theDDR input stream.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprisingproviding a data signal to a multi-point, multi-drop communications busby way of a bus interface in response to the output enable signal. 20.The method of claim 17, wherein generating with the output enablecircuit the output enable signal based on the standard clock signalcomprises: asserting the output enable signal no earlier than a tZD timefollowing a most recent transition of the standard clock signal; andde-asserting the output enable signal no later than a tDZ time followingthe most recent transition of the standard clock signal.
 21. A system,comprising: a multi-point, multi-drop communications bus comprising: adata wire; and a clock wire; and a master device coupled to one or moreslave devices via the multi-point, multi-drop communications bus, themaster device comprising: a digital logic circuit configured to completeoperations associated with the master device; a bus interface configuredto interface with the multi-point, multi-drop communications bus; and acontrol circuit, comprising: a double data rate (DDR) conversioncircuit, configured to: receive a single data rate (SDR) output datastream; and generate a DDR output stream based on the SDR output stream;and an output enable circuit, configured to: receive a standard clocksignal; receive a feedback clock signal, wherein the feedback clocksignal is based on the standard clock signal; generate a delayedfeedback clock signal based on timing constraints associated with eachtransition of the standard clock signal; receive the DDR output streamgenerated by the DDR conversion circuit; and generate an output enablesignal based on the standard clock signal, the delayed feedback clocksignal, and the DDR output stream, wherein the output enable signal isasserted and de-asserted according to the timing constraints.
 22. Thesystem of claim 21, wherein the multi-point, multi-drop communicationsbus comprises a SoundWireT™ communications bus.
 23. The system of claim21, further comprising the one or more slave devices, wherein each ofthe one or more slave devices comprises: a digital logic circuitconfigured to complete operations associated with the correspondingslave device; a bus interface configured to interface with themulti-point, multi-drop communications bus; and a control circuit,comprising: a DDR conversion circuit, configured to: receive an SDRoutput stream; and generate a DDR output stream based on the SDR outputstream; and an output enable circuit, configured to: receive a standardclock signal; receive a feedback clock signal, wherein the feedbackclock signal is based on the standard clock signal; receive the DDRoutput stream generated by the DDR conversion circuit; and generate anoutput enable signal, wherein the output enable signal is asserted andde-asserted according to timing constraints.